Portable terminal and its programs, settlement apparatus, and merchandising information providing apparatus

ABSTRACT

On receiving simplified settlement data generated form settlement data and ID data for downloading electronic-receipt data from an electronic-receipt server, both from a settlement-processing apparatus, a portable terminal records the simplified settlement data in association with the ID data. The display unit of the portable terminal displays the simplified settlement data thus recorded. The portable terminal downloads electronic-receipt data from the electronic-receipt server by using the ID data recorded in association with the simplified settlement data, when the input unit is operated, thereby commanding that the electronic receipt related to the simplified settlement data displayed by the display unit should be downloaded. The electronic-receipt data is recorded in the electronic-receipt recording unit. The display unit displays the electronic receipt on the basis the electronic-receipt data recorded in the electronic-receipt recording unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromprior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2006-143074, filed May 23, 2006;and No. 2006-143075, filed May 23, 2006, the entire contents of both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable terminal, programs for usein the terminal, a settlement apparatus that can perform datacommunication with the terminal, and a MERCHANDISING-informationproviding apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Cellular telephones developed in recent years incorporate an externalwireless interface that achieves wireless communication by usinginfrared rays, a non-contact IC card or the like. Settlementapplications are now proposed, which enable a telephone user to paycharges and receive coupons by using the wireless interface.

Particularly, it is proposed that shops should electronically inputreceipts into the cellular telephone when the telephone user pays forwhatever he or she has just bought. If the receipts are recorded in theform of electronic data, the user can have his or her household accountbook kept both electronically and automatically. This is advantageous tothe telephone user. This is useful to the shops, too, because theexpense involved in issuing paper receipts is saved. In view of this, itis well expected that the electronic-receipt issuing technology willsoon come into use.

The amount of data that can be recorded on electronic receipts is almostlimitless, unlike the amount of data recordable on conventional paperreceipts. If shops issue electronic receipts, they can give theconsumers far more merchandise and advertisement information than byissuing conventional paper receipts.

Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2005-141649, for example,discloses a technique of adding additional information to electronicreceipts. In this technique, an electronic receipt with additionalinformation is transferred to the purchaser's personal computer, and thepersonal computer records the information in the household account book.The purchaser can therefore review the additional information on thepersonal computer.

Thus, this technique enables the purchaser to review, on his or herpersonal computer, the additional information recorded on the electronicreceipt. Most personal computers are unusable outdoors. Inevitably,consumers can access such value-added information only indoors. Assumethat the merchandise bought is one for outdoor use and that theadditional information (i.e., merchandise information) is instructionsfor solving problems with the merchandise. Then, the purchaser cannotaccess the information immediately while he or she is using themerchandise in the open.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal onwhich the information contained in electronic receipts can be easilyreviewed, even in the open, and a system that enables the user of theterminal to review the information.

According to an aspect of this invention, there is provided a portableterminal that comprises: a communications unit which communicates withan electronic-receipt server and a communications unit whichcommunicates with a settlement-processing apparatus. On receivingsimplified settlement data generated form settlement data and ID datafor downloading electronic-receipt data from an electronic-receiptserver, both from a settlement-processing apparatus, the portableterminal records the simplified settlement data in association with theID data. The display unit of the portable terminal displays thesimplified settlement data thus recorded.

The portable terminal downloads electronic-receipt data from theelectronic-receipt server by using the ID data recorded in associationwith the simplified settlement data, when the input unit is operated,thereby commanding that the electronic receipt related to the simplifiedsettlement data displayed by the display unit should be downloaded. Theelectronic-receipt data is recorded in the electronic-receipt recordingunit. The display unit displays the electronic receipt on the basis theelectronic-receipt data recorded in the electronic-receipt recordingunit.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed outhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and comprise a partof the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, andtogether with the general description given above and the detaileddescription of the embodiments given below, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a networksystem according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the major components of a portableterminal included in the system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the major components of a POS terminalincluded in the system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 shows an example of the merchandise-information table recorded inthe merchandise-information managing area of the POS terminal includedin the system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the major components of anelectronic-receipt server included in the system according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the major components of amerchandise-information providing server included in the systemaccording to the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart explaining the sequence of major steps describedin the electronic settlement program installed in the portable terminalincluded in the system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart that explains the sequence of major stepsdescribed in the electronic receipt program installed in the portableterminal included in the system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart that explains the sequence of major stepsdescribed in the electronic-settlement processing program installed inthe POS terminal according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart that explains the sequence of major stepsdescribed in the electronic-receipt processing program installed in thePOS terminal included in the system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart that explains the sequence of the major steps ofthe electronic-receipt reviewing program installed in the portableterminal according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the data format of an electronic receiptgenerated in the first embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the data format of a simplified settlementdata item generated in the first embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of information, displayed by thedisplay unit of the portable terminal according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of information, displayed by thedisplay unit of the portable terminal included in the system accordingto the first embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of data displayed by thedisplay unit of the portable terminal according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a networksystem according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the major components of a portableterminal included in the system according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 19 shows an example of the merchandise-information table recordedin the merchandise-information managing area of a POS terminal includedin the system according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the major components of themerchandise-purchase server included in the system according to thesecond embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the table recorded in themerchandise-information managing area of a merchandise-purchase serverincluded in the system according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart that explains the sequence of the major steps ofthe electronic-receipt reviewing program installed in the portableterminal included in the system according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a flowchart that explains the sequence of the major steps ofthe merchandise-information transmitting program installed in themerchandise purchase server according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart that explains the sequence of the major steps ofthe merchandise-purchase-site reviewing program installed in theportable terminal included in the system according to the secondembodiment;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart that explains the sequence of the major steps ofthe merchandise-ordering program installed in the merchandise purchaseserver included in the system according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of information, displayed by thedisplay unit of the portable terminal included in the system accordingto the second embodiment; and

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing another example of information, displayedby the display unit of the portable terminal included in the systemaccording to the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Best modes of practicing the present invention will be described, withthe accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

The first embodiment of the invention will be described with referenceto FIGS. 1 to 16.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a networksystem according to the first embodiment. In a shop 1, a point-of-sales(POS) terminal 2 and a router 3 are provided. The POS terminal 2 and therouter 3 connected by a local area network (LAN) 4 provided in the shop1. In addition to the POS terminal 2, which is a settlement apparatus,there may be used other POS terminals in the shop 1. The router 3connects the LAN 4 to the Internet 5.

To the Internet 5, which is a public communications network, anelectronic-receipt server 6, a radio base station 7, and amerchandise-information providing server 9 are connected. Theelectronic-receipt server 6 operates as a Web server. The radio basestation 7 can perform radio communication with a portable terminal 8,such as a cellular telephone, which incorporates a Web browser. Themerchandise-information providing server 9 supplies necessarymerchandise information to the portable terminal 8 via the Internet 5.

The components of the network system shown in FIG. 1 will be describedin detail. First, the configuration of the portable terminal 8 will bedescribed, with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 2.

The portable terminal 8 comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 11, atemporary memory 12, a recording unit 13, a public-network interface 14,a communications interface 15, a non-contact IC card memory 16, adisplay unit 17, an input unit 18, and a clock unit 19. The CPU 11constitutes a control unit. The temporary memory 12 can temporarilystore data. The recording unit 13 stores various programs and variousitems of data. The public-network interface 14 is used as firstcommunications unit, and the communications interface 15 is used assecond communications unit. The non-contact IC card memory 16 can storethe information the communications interface 15 has received. The inputunit 18 is the input device of the portable terminal 8. The clock unit19 is a time-keeping device.

The public-network interface 14 is connected to a public networkincluding the Internet 5 and performs communication with externalapparatuses through the public network. The communications interface 15accomplishes short-distance radio communication by using a non-contactIC card.

A Web browser is installed in the recording unit 13 so that the user ofthe portable terminal 8 may review the various information items(contents) published on Web. Further, the recording unit 13 stores anelectronic settlement program P1, an electronic-receipt processingprogram P2, an electronic-receipt reviewing program P3, and amerchandise-information-site reviewing program P4. The electronicsettlement program P1 enables the user to achieve electronic settlementon purchases. The electronic-receipt processing program P2 enables theuser to receive electronic receipts issued after electronic settlementis made. The electronic-receipt reviewing program P3 enables the user toreview any electronic receipt he or she has received. Themerchandise-information-site reviewing program P4 enables the user toreview the merchandise information supplied from themerchandise-information providing server 9.

The major components of the POS terminal 2 will be described, withreference to FIG. 3.

The POS terminal 2 comprises a CPU 21, a temporary memory 22, arecording unit 23, a network interface 24, a printer interface 25, acommunications interface 26, a non-contact IC card memory 27, anoperator display unit 28, a clock unit 29, a customer display unit 30,and an input unit 31. The CPU 21 constitutes a control unit. Thetemporary memory 22 can temporarily store data. The recording unit 23stores various programs and various items of data. The network interface24 is used as first communications unit. To the printer interface 25, aprinter is removably connected. The communications interface 26 is usedas second communications unit. The non-contact IC card memory 27 canstore the information the communications interface 26 has received. Theoperator display unit 28 can display various information items to theoperator of the POS terminal 2. The clock unit 29 is a time-keepingdevice. The customer display unit 30 can display various informationitems to customers. The input unit 31 is the input device of the POSterminal 2.

The network interface 24 is connected to the LAN 4 and performscommunication with some other components via the LAN 4. Thecommunications interface 26 accomplishes short-distance radiocommunication by using a non-contact IC card.

The recording unit 23 stores software items that enable the POS terminal2 to perform its functions. The unit 23 stores an electronic-settlementprogram P5 and an electronic-receipt processing program P6, too. Theelectronic-settlement program P5 enables the POS terminal 2 to performelectronic settlement. The electronic-receipt processing program P6enables the POS terminal 2 to settle electronic receipts.

The recording unit 23 has a merchandise-information managing area 23 a.The merchandise-information managing area 23 a stores amerchandise-information table T1. The merchandise-information table T1contains additional information about merchandise items. The additionalinformation includes the names of the merchandise items, the pricesthereof, and merchandise-information accessing data. Themerchandise-information accessing data is used to link the POS terminal2 to a site on the Internet 5, at which the merchandise informationassociated with this data can be acquired.

The information used to link the portable terminal 8 to any site themerchandise-information providing server 9 provides is themerchandise-information accessing data in the present embodiment. FIG. 4shows an example of the merchandise-information table T1. This examplecontains a merchandise name, “wine 750 ml,” the price of themerchandise, “9.81,” and the merchandise-information accessing data,“http://awinecompany.co.jp/,” which are stored in association.

The major components of the electronic-receipt server 6 will bedescribed with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 5. Theelectronic-receipt server 6 comprises a CPU 41, a temporary memory 42, arecording unit 43, and a network interface 44. The CPU 41 constitutes acontrol unit. The temporary memory 42 can temporarily store data. Therecording unit 43 stores various programs and various items of data. Thenetwork interface 44 is connected to the Internet 5.

The recording unit 43 has an electronic-receipt managing area 43 a. Thearea 43 a can store electronic-receipt information so that thisinformation may be published on Web. The recording unit 43 stores anelectronic-receipt managing program P7, which enables theelectronic-receipt server 6 to hold the electronic-receipt informationreceived from the POS terminal 2, in the electronic-receipt managingarea 43 a.

The configuration of the merchandise-information providing server 9 willbe described, with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 6. Themerchandise-information providing server 9 comprises a CPU 51, atemporary memory 52, a recording unit 53, and a network interface 54.The CPU 51 constitutes a control unit. The temporary memory 52 cantemporarily store data. The recording unit 53 stores various programsand various items of data. The network interface 54 can be connected tothe Internet 5.

The recording unit 53 stores a merchandise-information transmittingprogram P8, which enables the server 9 to transmit the information aboutany merchandise to the portable terminal 8.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart that explains the sequence of major stepsdescribed in the electronic settlement program P1 that is installed inthe portable terminal 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart that explains thesequence of major steps described in the electronic-receipt processingprogram P2 that is installed in the portable terminal 8. FIG. 9 is aflowchart that explains the sequence of major steps described in theelectronic-settlement program P5 that is installed in the POS terminal2. FIG. 10 is a flowchart that explains the sequence of major stepsdescribed in the electronic-receipt processing program P6 that isinstalled in the POS terminal 2.

How the portable terminal 8 performs electronic settlement will beexplained with reference to FIG. 7.

To make electronic settlement, the purchaser operates the input unit 18provided on his or her portable terminal 8, activating the electronicsettlement program P1. On the other hand, the cashier operates the POSterminal 2, registering the sales data concerning the merchandise thecustomer (i.e., purchaser) has bought, into the POS terminal 2. Onregistering the sales data, the cashier asks the purchaser to pay forthe merchandise. So requested, the purchaser moves the portable terminal8 toward the POS terminal 2, setting the communications interface 15 ata position close to the communications interface 26 of the POS terminal2.

Since the electronic settlement program P1 has been activated, the CPU11 of the portable terminal 8 monitors the communications interface 15(Step S101). When the portable terminal 8 is moved near the POS terminal2, the communications interface 15 starts communication with thecommunications interface 26 of the POS terminal 2. At this point, theCPU 11 sends a request for electronic settlement to the POS terminal 2via the communications interface 15 (Step S102).

In response to this request, the POS terminal 2 performs electronicsettlement with the portable terminal 8. When the electronic settlementis completed, the POS terminal 2 generates ID data for downloadingelectronic-receipt data from an electronic-receipt server 6 andsimplified settlement data. The ID data and the simplified settlementdata are transmitted from the communications interface 26 to theportable terminal 8. The ID data is information that is used to downloadthe electronic receipt that has been uploaded from POS terminal 2 intothe electronic-receipt server 6. The simplified settlement data is dataextracted from the settlement data that is recorded on the electronicreceipt.

In the portable terminal 8, the CPU 11 receives, via the communicationinterface 15, the ID data for downloading electronic-receipt data froman electronic-receipt server 6 and simplified settlement datatransmitted from the POS terminal 2 (Step S103). The CPU 11 associatesthe ID data and the simplified settlement data with each other and thenstores them into the non-contact IC card memory 27 (Step S104).Thereafter, the CPU 11 activates the electronic settlement program P2(Step S105).

How the portable terminal 8 operates after the electronic-receiptprocessing program P2 has been activated will be explained, withreference to FIG. 8.

In the portable terminal 8 with the electronic-receipt processingprogram P2 activated, the CPU 11 determines whether the non-contact ICcard memory 16 stores simplified settlement data (Step S201). If thememory 16 stores the simplified settlement data, the CPU 11 makes thedisplay unit 17 display the simplified settlement data (Step S202).

Next, the CPU 11 causes the display unit 17 to display a message askingthe user whether the program P2 should be terminated and waits for aninput from the user (Step S203). If the user inputs a command forterminating the program P2, the CPU 11 terminates the electronic-receiptprocessing program P2.

If the user inputs a command for keeping the activation of the programP2, the CPU 11 makes the display unit 17 display a message asking theuser whether the electronic receipt corresponding to the simplifiedsettlement data should be downloaded and then waits for an input fromthe user (Step S204).

If the user inputs a command for downloading the electronic receipt, theCPU 11 decodes the ID data stored in association with the simplifiedsettlement data, thereby generating an URL that will be used to downloadthe electronic receipt. Using the URL thus generated, the CPU 11connects the public-network interface 14 to the Internet 5 (Step S205).

The URL represents the address of the electronic-receipt managing area43 a provided in the electronic-receipt server 6, in which theelectronic-receipt information has been uploaded from the POS terminal2. The CPU 11 downloads the electronic-receipt information from theaddress (Step S206). The information thus downloaded is temporarilystored in the memory 12.

The CPU 11 analyzes the electronic-receipt information thus downloadedand makes the display unit 17 display the electronic receipt representedby this information (Step S207). The CPU 11 then waits for aconfirmation from the user (Step S208).

When the user input a confirmation, the CPU 11 makes the display unit 17display a message asking the user whether the electronic receipt shouldbe stored in the portable terminal 8 (Step S209) and waits for an inputfrom the user (Step S210). Upon receiving of the user input indicatingthat electronic receipt should be stored, the CPU 11 records theelectronic-receipt information in the recording unit 13 (Step S211). TheCPU 11 then erases the electronic-receipt information from the temporarymemory 12 (Step S212).

Next, the CPU 11 records the ID data and the simplified settlement data,both used to download the electronic receipt, in the recording unit 13in association with the electronic-receipt information (Step S213).Alternatively, only the simplified settlement data may be recorded inassociation with the electronic-receipt information.

Thereafter, the CPU 11 erases the ID data and the simplified settlementdata, both used to download the electronic receipt, from the non-contactIC card memory 16 (Step S214). The operation then returns to the firststep.

How the POS terminal 2 operates after the electronic-receipt processingprogram P5 has been activated will be explained, with reference to FIG.9. In the POS terminal 2, the electronic-settlement program P5 isactivated when the information about the merchandise the customer (i.e.,user of the portable terminal 8) has bought.

In the POS terminal 2 with the electronic-settlement program P5activated, the CPU 21 waits for a request for electronic settlementcoming from the portable terminal 8 via the communications interface 26(Step S301). A request for electronic settlement may come after theinformation concerning the merchandise has been registered. In thiscase, the CPU 21 performs the electronic settlement on the basis of theinformation concerning the merchandise (Step S302). Thus, the electronicsettlement between the POS terminal 2 and the portable terminal 8 iscompleted (Step S303). Then, the CPU 21 activates the electronic-receiptprocessing program P6.

How the POS terminal 2, in which the electronic-receipt processingprogram P6 has been activated, operates will be explained, withreference to FIG. 10.

In the POS terminal 2 with the electronic-receipt processing program P6activated, the CPU 21 makes the customer display unit 30 display amessage of, for example, “Please keep holding your portable terminal atthe POS terminal 2” (Step S401). There is a time lag between thecompletion of the electronic settlement and the transmission ofsimplified settlement data to the portable terminal 8. Therefore, the IDdata and the simplified settlement data, which is required todownloading the electronic receipt, cannot be transmitted if the usermoves the portable terminal 8 away from the communications interface 26of the POS terminal 2 immediately after the electronic settlement isaccomplished. If these data items are not transmitted, the electronicreceipt will not be transmitted to the electronic-receipt server 6. Thisis why the customer display unit 30 displays the message, telling theuser not to move the portable terminal 8 away from the POS terminal 2.

While the display unit 30 is displaying the message, the CPU 21 performsa process for generating an electronic receipt and information itemsrelated to the receipt. More precisely, the CPU 21 extracts, from themerchandise-information managing area 23 a, the name and price of themerchandise registered at the electronic settlement, themerchandise-information accessing data and the like which should berecorded on the electronic receipt. Using these information items, theCPU 21 generates the electronic receipt (Step S402). Further, the CPU 21extracts the data items, such as the date of settlement and the totalamount paid for the merchandise, from the information items recorded onthe electronic receipt, and generates simplified settlement data fromthe data items extracted (Step S403). Furthermore, the CPU 21 generatesID data which will be later used to download the electronic receipt fromthe electronic-receipt server 6 to the portable terminal 8 (Step S404).

At this point, the data on the electronic receipt and the simplifiedsettlement data are formulated in such as Extensible Markup Language(XML) format as is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. On the electronic receipt,the merchandise-information accessing data is recorded as href=“http://. . . ” in tag <merchandise> contained in the XML data (FIG. 12).

The CPU 21 connects the network interface 24 to the LAN 4 and theInternet 5. The ID data for downloading the electronic receipt and theelectronic-receipt information, thus generated, are transmitted from thePOS terminal 2 to the electronic-receipt server 6 (Step S405). The CPU21 further transmits the ID data for downloading the electronic receiptand the simplified settlement data to the portable terminal 8 via thecommunications interface 26 (Step S406).

On completing transmission of the ID data and the simplified settlementdata to the portable terminal 8 (Step S407), the CPU 21 causes thedisplay unit 30 to stop displaying the message (Step S408). The processof the electronic-receipt processing program P6 is thus completed.

How the user accesses the merchandise information on the electronicreceipt when he or she reviews the electronic receipt displayed on theportable terminal 8 will be explained, with reference to FIG. 11 is aflowchart the sequence of major steps of the electronic-receiptreviewing program P3 installed in the portable terminal 8.

The user operates the input unit 18 provided on his or her portableterminal 8, thereby activating the electronic-receipt reviewing programP3.

In the portable terminal 8 with the electronic-receipt reviewing programP3 thus activated, the CPU 11 makes the display unit 17 to display alist of the simplified settlement data items concerning all electronicreceipts stored in the recording unit 13 (Step S501). The CPU 11 thenprompts the user to select at least one of the simplified settlementdata items.

FIG. 14 shows some of the simplified settlement data items displayed onthe display unit 17 at this point. As seen from FIG. 14, the data itemsare displayed in the form of a list. The user operates the input unit18, thus moving the cursor to any desired data item, on the screen ofthe display unit 17. The desired data item is thereby selected.

The CPU 11 determines whether the user has selected any simplifiedsettlement data item (Step S502). If the user has selected a simplifiedsettlement data item, the CPU 11 analyzes the XML data on the electronicreceipt, which corresponds to the simplified settlement data selectedand then makes the display unit 17 display the electronic receipt (StepS503).

FIG. 15 shows the data the display unit 17 displays at this time. Asseen from FIG. 15, the electronic receipt is displayed in the samelayout as the corresponding paper receipt. The user can select anymerchandise displayed on the display unit 17, by operating the inputunit 18 and moving the cursor to the name of the merchandise displayedon the display unit 17.

The CPU 11 determines whether the user has selected any one of item ofthe merchandise recorded on the electronic receipt (Step S504). If anyone item of merchandise has been selected, the CPU 11 makes the displayunit 17 display the menu about the merchandise selected (Step S505). Ifthe input is not concerned with selection of merchandise, the operationreturns to Step S502.

After making the display unit 17 display the menu about the merchandise,the CPU 11 determines whether the user has selected “review merchandiseinformation,” i.e., one of the menu items (Step S506). If “reviewmerchandise information” has been selected, the CPU 11 extracts, fromthe data recorded on the electronic receipt, merchandise-informationaccess data about the merchandise the user has selected(http://awinecompany.co.jp/forwine) (Step S507).

Thereafter, the CPU 11 activates the merchandise-information-sitereviewing program P4. Using the merchandise-information accessing data,the CPU 11 accesses the merchandise-information site (i.e., themerchandise-information providing server 9) through the Internet 5 (StepS508).

If any item other than “review merchandise information” has beenselected, the operation returns to Step S504.

The merchandise-information providing server 9 keeps activating themerchandise-information transmitting program P8 at all times and keepswaiting for an access from the portable terminal 8. In themerchandise-information providing server 9, the CPU 51 receives anaccess from the portable terminal 8. It then transmits the Web page ofthe merchandise information contained in the URL of the access, to theportable terminal 8. At this time the display unit 17 of the portableterminal 8 displays such data as shown in FIG. 16. This operation is thesame as one performed in the ordinary Web server, and will not dedescribed here in detail.

In the network system of the configuration described above, the POSterminal 2 generates an electronic receipt showing the details of anelectronic settlement when the POS terminal 2 at the transaction issettled with the customer at the shop 1. The electronic receipt thusgenerated is transmitted via the Internet 5 to the electronic-receiptserver 6 and is published on Web.

At this time, the simplified settlement data based on the settlementdata and the ID data for downloading the electronic receipt aretransmitted from the POS terminal 2 to the portable terminal 8. When thecustomer operates the portable terminal 8, demanding that electronicreceipt be downloaded, the electronic-receipt information is downloadedfrom the electronic-receipt server 6 into the portable terminal 8 inaccordance with the ID data.

Thus, the customer can have the electronic receipt published on Webdownloaded into the portable terminal 8 that incorporates a Web browser.He or she can therefore easily review the electronic receipt on the Webbrowser in the open, without necessity of going home and using thepersonal computer or the like at home.

The portable terminal 8 can access the merchandise-information providingserver 9, by using the electronic receipt downloaded from theelectronic-receipt server 6. The portable terminal 8 can then make thedisplay unit 17 display the Web page about the merchandise, transmittedfrom the merchandise-information providing server 9.

Hence, the user can easily review the merchandise information in the Webpage displayed on the display unit 17 of the portable terminal 8. Thiseasy access to the information about the merchandise bought is veryuseful for the user, and also to the shops because the merchandiseinformation helps to promote the sales.

Second Embodiment

The second embodiment of the invention will be described with referenceto FIGS. 17 to 27. The components identical to those of the firstembodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and will not bedescribed in detail.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a networksystem according to the second embodiment. The second embodiment differsfrom the first embodiment in that a merchandise-purchase server 90 isconnected to the Internet 5, instead of the merchandise-informationproviding server 9.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the major components of the portableterminal 8 included in the system according to the second embodiment. Inthe second embodiment, a merchandise-purchase-site reviewing program P11is installed in the recording unit 13 of the portable terminal 8. Themerchandise-purchase-site reviewing program P11 is enable the user ofthe portable terminal 18 to review the merchandise information providedfrom the merchandise-purchase server 90 and to place orders for anymerchandise he or she wants, by operating the portable terminal 8.

FIG. 19 shows an example of the merchandise-information table T1recorded in the merchandise-information managing area 23 a of the POSterminal 2. As shown in FIG. 19, a purchase-site ID is stored asadditional information about merchandise in the merchandise-informationtable T1, instead of the merchandise-information accessing data. Thepurchase-site ID is used to link the portable terminal 8 to a site onthe Internet 5 so that the user may buy the merchandise corresponding tothe ID.

In the second embodiment, the purchase-side ID is the data that linksthe portable terminal 8 to a site that the merchandise-providing server90 provides. In the case shown in FIG. 19, purchase-site ID “0512843” isrecorded for merchandise name “wine 750 ml; price 9.81”.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the major components of themerchandise-purchase server 90 included in the system according to thesecond embodiment. The merchandise-purchase server 90 comprises a CPU61, a temporary memory 62, a recording unit 63, and a network interface64. The CPU 61 constitutes a control unit. The temporary memory 62 cantemporarily store data. The recording unit 63 stores various programsand various items of data. The network interface 64 can be connected tothe Internet 5.

The recording unit 63 has a merchandise-information managing area 63 awhere merchandise information is recorded, which is related to themerchandise items that are sold at the site. In themerchandise-information managing area 63 a, a merchandise-informationtransmitting program P12 and a merchandise-ordering program P13 areinstalled. The merchandise-information transmitting program P12 is usedto transmit the merchandise information about any specific merchandiseto the portable terminal 8. The merchandise-ordering program P13 is usedto order any merchandise the user has ordered or the merchandise relatedto the merchandise the user has ordered.

FIG. 21 shows an example of the table T3 recorded in themerchandise-information managing area 63 a. As FIG. 21 shows,merchandise name “wine 750 ml” is recorded in the table T3, for thepurchase-site ID “0512843.” Further, five items of information aboutmerchandise related to this merchandise, i.e., “corkscrew,”“label-removing set,” “wine X 750 ml,” “wine Y 750 ml,” and “wine Z 750ml,” are recorded in the in the table T3.

Dates are set, at which the related merchandise should preferably bepurchased. In the present embodiment, the dates are set in accordancewith the date at which the merchandise is most likely consumed. Morespecifically, the purchase date for “corkscrew” is set as “0 dayslater,” i.e., the same data as the merchandise “wine 750 ml” ispurchases. The purchase date for “label-removing set” is set as “threedays later,” because the wine is expected to be consumed three daysafter the wine is purchased. Similarly, the purchase dates for “wine X750 ml,” “wine Y 750 ml,” and “wind Z, 750 ml” are set as “three dayslater,” “15 days later,” and “30 days later,” respectively, when “wine750 ml,” “wine X 750 ml” and “wine Y 750 ml” are expected to beconsumed. That is, when the user accesses to the information aboutspecific merchandise, it is recommended that the merchandise related tothe merchandise should be purchased at particular dates after the userhas bought the merchandise.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart that explains the sequence of the major steps ofthe electronic-receipt reviewing program P3 installed in the portableterminal 8. FIG. 23 is a flowchart that explains the sequence of themajor steps of the merchandise-information transmitting program P12installed in the merchandise-purchase server 90. FIG. 24 is a flowchartthat explains the sequence of the major steps of themerchandise-purchase-site reviewing program P11 installed in theportable terminal 8. FIG. 25 is a flowchart that explains the sequenceof the major steps of the merchandise-ordering program P13 installed inthe merchandise purchase server 90.

The electronic settlement program P1 and electronic-receipt processingprogram P2 installed in the portable terminal 8 and theelectronic-settlement program P5 and electronic-receipt processingprogram P6 installed in the POS terminal 2 are identical in the sequenceof major steps to those used in the first embodiment. Therefore, theywill not be explained here in detail.

How the user accesses the merchandise information recorded on anelectronic receipt by reviewing the electronic receipt on the portableterminal 8 will be explained, with reference to FIG. 22.

The user operates the input unit 18 provided on his or her portableterminal 8, activating the electronic-receipt reviewing program P3.

Since the electronic-receipt reviewing program P3 has been activated,the CPU 11 of the portable terminal 8 makes the display unit 17 displaya list of all simplified settlement data items about the electronicreceipts thus far received and recorded in the recording unit 13 (StepS501). The CPU 11 then prompts the user to select at least one of thesimplified settlement data items.

The CPU 11 determines whether the user has selected any simplifiedsettlement data item (Step S502). If the user has selected a simplifiedsettlement data item, the CPU 11 makes the display unit 17 displays theelectronic receipt corresponding to the simplified settlement dataselected (Step S503).

The CPU 11 then determines whether one of the items of merchandiserecorded on the electronic receipt has been selected (Step S504). If anyone of the items of merchandise has been selected, the CPU 11 makes thedisplay unit 17 display the menu about the merchandise selected (StepS505). If the input is not concerned with selection of merchandise, theoperation returns to Step S502.

After making the display unit 17 display the menu about the merchandise,the CPU 11 determines whether the user has selected “purchase relatedproducts,” i.e., one of the menu items (Step S506). If “purchase relatedproducts” has been selected, the CPU 11 extracts, from the data recordedon the electronic receipt, merchandise-purchase site ID and the date ofpurchasing the merchandise (Step S510). At this point, the place wherethe merchandise has been bought may be extracted, too.

Thereafter, the CPU 11 activates the merchandise-purchase-site reviewingprogram P11, accesses the merchandise-purchase site (i.e., merchandisepurchase server 90) via the Internet 5 on the basis of themerchandise-purchase site ID, and transmits the date and time ofpurchasing the merchandise (Step S511). At the same time the date andtime of purchasing the merchandise is transmitted, the data representingthe site may be transmitted, too.

If any item other than “review merchandise information” is selected inthe menu, the operation returns to Step S504.

The sequence of the major steps of the operation that the merchandisepurchase server 90 performs when the user operates the portable terminal8, thereby accessing the merchandise-purchase site, will be explained,with reference to FIG. 23.

The merchandise purchase server 90 keeps activating themerchandise-information transmitting program P12 and keeps waiting foran access from the portable terminal 8 (Step S601). In the merchandisepurchase server 90, the CPU 61 receives the purchase-site reviewing dataand the date and time of purchasing the merchandise from the portableterminal 8 when the portable terminal 8 makes a demand for reviewing thepurchase information (Step S602).

Next, the CPU 61 extracts, from the merchandise-information managingarea 63 a of the recording unit 63, related merchandise recommended onthe basis of the merchandise-purchase site ID contained in thepurchase-site reviewing data and the date and time of purchasing themerchandise (Step S603). Assume the user of the portable terminal 8 hasbought wine and accesses the merchandise purchase server 90 four dayslater. In this case, the CPU 61 extracts “corkscrew,” “label-removingset,” and “wine X 750 ml,” as merchandise related to the wine.

Thereafter, the CPU 61 generates a purchase Web page for purchasing therelated merchandise, on the basis of the data items extracted from themerchandise-information managing area 63 a (Step S604). The CPU 61 thentransmits the Web page to the portable terminal 8 that has accessed themerchandise-purchase site (Step S605).

How the portable terminal 8 operates when the user orders the relatedmerchandise will be explained, with reference to FIG. 24.

The CPU 11 of the portable terminal 8 receives the Web page forpurchasing the related merchandise, sent from the merchandise purchaseserver 90 (Step S701).

The CPU 11 then makes the display unit 17 display the Web page (StepS702).

FIG. 27 shows another example of the information displayed by thedisplay unit 17 of the portable terminal 8 at this point. This exampleof information is displayed when the user accesses “wine 750 ml” fourdays after he or she has bought the same merchandise, i.e., “wine 750ml.” The merchandise related to “wine 750 ml,” i.e., “corkscrew,”“label-removing set,” and “wine X 750 ml,” are displayed. The user canplace an order for these related items of merchandise by operating theinput unit 18.

The user may operate the input unit 18, moving the cursor to anymerchandise he or she would like to order and may push the OK button.Then, the CPU 11 of the portable terminal 8 determines that the user hasselected the merchandise (Step S703). The CPU 11 then transmitsordered-merchandise information designating the merchandise selected, tothe merchandise purchase server 90 (Step S704). If no merchandise isselected, the CPU 11 transmits data representing the end of process tothe merchandise purchase server 90 (Step S705).

The sequence of the major steps of the operation the merchandisepurchase server 90 performs when the user of the portable terminal 8orders merchandise will be explained, with reference to FIG. 25.

The merchandise purchase server 90 keeps activating themerchandise-ordering program P13 at all times and keeps waiting for anaccess from the portable terminal 8 (Step S801). Upon receiving an orderfor any merchandise from the portable terminal 8, the CPU 61 of themerchandise purchase server 90 places order for the merchandise to theseller who sells the merchandise (Step S802). After placing the order,the CPU 61 transmits a message to the portable terminal 8, telling thatthe order has been accepted (Step S803). (The message may read, forexample, “The order for the merchandise has been duly accepted.”)

In the second embodiment, the portable terminal 8 can access themerchandise purchase server 90 on the basis of the data recorded on theelectronic receipt downloaded from the electronic-receipt server 6. Theportable terminal 8 further can acquire, from the merchandise purchaseserver 90, a Web page for ordering any merchandise and merchandiserelated thereto, and can cause the display unit 17 to display the Webpage thus acquired. Using the Web page, the user can easily place anorder for the merchandise displayed on the display unit 17.

Thus, it is easy for the user to access the merchandise related to themerchandise purchased. This is very useful for the user, and also to theshops because the merchandise information helps to promote the sales.

In each embodiment described above, the various functions that implementthe present invention are recorded in the apparatuses. Nonetheless, thefunctions may be downloaded into the apparatuses from networks.Alternatively, similar functions may be installed in the apparatuses, inthe form of recording media. The recording medium may be of any typesavailable, such as CD-ROM, so long as they can store programs that theapparatuses can read. The functions, either installed or downloaded, maybe of the types that work in cooperation with the operating systems (OS)installed in the apparatuses.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shownand described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventiveconcept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A portable terminal having an input unit and a display unit andcomprising: a communications unit which performs communication, via anetwork, with an electronic-receipt server that records electronicreceipts each showing settlement data; a receiving unit which receives,from a settlement-processing apparatus, simplified settlement datagenerated from the settlement data and ID data for downloadingelectronic-receipt data from the electronic-receipt server; aninformation recording unit which records the simplified settlement datareceived at the receiving unit, in association with the ID data receivedat the same time as the simplified settlement data; a simplified-datadisplay control unit which causes the display unit to display thesimplified settlement data recorded in the information recording unit; adownloading process unit which downloads the electronic-receipt datafrom the electronic-receipt server by using the ID data recorded in theinformation recording unit in association with the simplified settlementdata, when the input unit is operated, thereby generating a command fordownloading the electronic receipt related to the simplified settlementdata displayed by the display unit; an electronic-receipt recording unitwhich records the electronic-receipt data downloaded from theelectronic-receipt server; and an electronic-receipt display controlunit which causes the display unit to display the electronic receipt onthe basis of the electronic-receipt data recorded in theelectronic-receipt recording unit.
 2. The portable terminal according toclaim 1, further comprising: a simplified-settlement-data recording unitwhich records the simplified settlement data corresponding to anyelectronic receipt recorded in at least the electronic-receipt recordingunit, in association with the electronic receipt; a simplified-listdisplay control unit which causes the display unit to display a list ofthe simplified settlement data items recorded in thesimplified-settlement-data recording unit; and a selected-receiptdisplay control unit which causes the display unit to display anyelectronic receipt corresponding to any simplified settlement data, whenthe input unit is operated, thereby selecting the simplified settlementdata from the list displayed by the display unit.
 3. The portableterminal according to claim 2, further comprising: an extracting unitwhich extracts access data for accessing a merchandise-information sitepreset for any merchandise, when the input unit is operated, therebyselecting the merchandise from the electronic receipt display by thedisplay unit; an acquisition unit which acquires related informationpreset for the merchandise from the merchandise-information site, byaccessing the merchandise-information site via the communications unitin accordance with the access data extracted by the extracting unit; anda related-information display control unit which causes the display unitto display the related information acquired by the acquisition unit. 4.The portable terminal according to claim 2, further comprising: anextracting unit which extracts access data for accessing amerchandise-purchase site preset for any merchandise, when the inputunit is operated, thereby selecting the merchandise from the electronicreceipt display by the display unit; an acquisition unit which acquiresa list of merchandise recommended to be purchased, from themerchandise-purchase site, by accessing the merchandise-information sitevia the communications unit in accordance with the access data extractedby the extracting unit; a purchase-list display control unit whichcauses the display unit to display the list of merchandise, acquired bythe acquisition unit; and an order notifying unit which notifies anymerchandise, as ordered one, to the merchandise-purchase site when theinput unit is operated, thereby selecting the merchandise from the listdisplayed by the display unit.
 5. The portable terminal according toclaim 4, wherein the list of merchandise contains the merchandiseselected, and any one of items of merchandise related to themerchandise, which remains not purchased for more days than a presetnumber of days after the merchandise has been purchased.
 6. The portableterminal according to claim 4, wherein the display unit displays a menufor the merchandise selected, and the acquisition unit accesses themerchandise-information site via the communications unit and acquiresthe list of merchandise recommended to be purchased from themerchandise-purchase site, when the input unit is operated, therebyordering the merchandise in the menu.
 7. A settlement apparatus forperforming settlement on transactions, comprising: a receipt-generatingunit which generates electronic receipts, each showing settlement data;a first communications unit which communicates, via a network, with anelectronic-receipt server that records the electronic receipts; a secondcommunications unit which communicates with a portable terminal capableof displaying the electronic receipts; an information-generating unitwhich generates simplified settlement data from the settlement datagenerated when a transaction is settled, and which generates ID data fordownloading the electronic receipt; a data-transmitting unit whichtransmits the simplified settlement data and the ID data, both generatedby the information-generating unit, to the portable terminal via thesecond communications unit; and a receipt-transmitting unit whichtransmits the data of the electronic receipt generated by thereceipt-generating unit, together with the ID data generated by theinformation-generating unit, to the electronic-receipt server via thefirst communications unit.
 8. The settlement apparatus according toclaim 7, wherein any electronic receipt generated by thereceipt-generating unit contains access data for amerchandise-information site preset for merchandise recorded in theelectronic receipt, in addition to the name and price of themerchandise.
 9. The settlement apparatus according to claim 7, whereinany electronic receipt generated by the receipt-generating unit containsaccess data for a merchandise-purchase site preset for merchandiserecorded in the electronic receipt, in addition to the name and price ofthe merchandise.
 10. A merchandising-information providing apparatus tobe accessed via a network from a portable terminal in which electronicreceipts are recorded, the apparatus comprising: a related-merchandiseinformation storage unit which stores information about merchandiserelated to each item of merchandise, together with data representingnumbers of days, which are associated with the related merchandise,respectively; a receiving unit which receives merchandise-purchase-siteinformation designating a merchandise-purchase site at which anymerchandise selected from those recorded in the electronic-receipt is tobe purchased; a related-merchandise-data extracting unit which extractsdata representing any one of items of merchandise related to themerchandise designated by the merchandise-purchase-site informationreceived by the receiving unit, which remains not purchased for moredays than a number of days after the merchandise has been purchased; anda list-transmitting unit which transmits a list of the merchandisedesignated by the merchandise-purchase-site information and the dataextracted by the related-merchandise-data extracting unit andrepresenting any one of items of merchandise related to the merchandise,to the portable terminal accessed via the network.
 11. Themerchandising-information providing apparatus according to claim 10,wherein the number of days is a period within which the merchandisedesignated by the merchandise-purchase-site information is expected tobe consumed and is preset for each merchandise related to themerchandise.
 12. A program able to be read by a computer that has afunction of communicating via a network with an electronic-receiptserver configured to electronic receipts, each showing settlement data,the program being contained in a recording medium or a communicationsmedium and making the computer to perform a process routine thatcomprises: receiving, from a settlement-processing apparatus, simplifiedsettlement data generated from the settlement data and ID data fordownloading the data recorded on any electronic receipt from theelectronic-receipt server; recording the simplified settlement data inassociation with the ID data received at the same time the simplifiedsettlement data is received; causing a display unit to display thesimplified settlement data thus recorded; downloading electronic-receiptdata from the electronic-receipt server by using the ID data recorded inassociation with the simplified settlement data, when an input unit isoperated, thereby commanding that the electronic receipt related to thesimplified settlement data displayed by the display unit should bedownloaded; recording the electronic-receipt data downloaded from theelectronic-receipt server; and causing the display unit to display theelectronic receipt on the basis the electronic-receipt data recorded.13. The program according to claim 12, making the computer furtherperform a process routine that comprises: recording simplifiedsettlement data corresponding to at least each electronic receiptrecorded in an electronic-receipt recording unit, in association withthe electronic receipt; causing the display unit to display a list ofsimplified settlement data items recorded; and causing the display unitto display the electronic receipt corresponding to a simplifiedsettlement data when the input unit is operated, thereby selecting thesimplified settlement data from the list simplified settlement dataitems, displayed by the display unit.
 14. The program according to claim13, making the computer further perform a process routine thatcomprises: extracting access data for a merchandise-purchase site presetfor merchandise when the display unit is operated, thereby selecting themerchandise from the electronic receipt displayed by the display unit;acquiring related-merchandise data preset for the merchandise, byaccessing the merchandise-purchase site in accordance with the accessdata extracted; and causing the display unit to display therelated-merchandise data thus acquired.
 15. The program according toclaim 13, making the computer further perform a process routine thatcomprises: extracting access data for a merchandise-purchase site presetfor merchandise when the display unit is operated, thereby selecting themerchandise from the electronic receipt displayed by the display unit;accessing the merchandise-purchase site in accordance with the accessdata thus extracted, thereby acquiring a list of merchandise recommendedto be purchased; causing the display unit to display the list thusacquired; and notifying any merchandise, as ordered one, to themerchandise-purchase site when the input unit is operated, therebyselecting the merchandise from the list displayed by the display unit.